Fluid dispensing valve



June 29, 1965 w A. FEAD ETAL FLUID DISPENSING VALVE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed O01". 28, 1965 June 29, 1965 w. A. FEAD ETAL 3,191,816

FLUID DISPENSING VALVE Filed Oct. 28, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Parent G 3,191,816 FLUD DlSPENSlNG VALVE William A. Feed, Westield, George Fnruani, Fair Lawn,

and Theodore P. Jalrubowsid, Clifton, NJ., assignors to Shulton, lne., Clifton, NJ., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Get. 28, 1953, Ser. No. 319,171 16 Claims. (Cl. 222-394) The present invention relates to valves for dispensing iluids from receptacles by means of a gaseous medium coniined Within the receptacles and, more particularly to such valves wherein gaseous medium can be selectively introduced into the iluids while the uids are being discharged from the receptacles.

The present invention is primarily concerned with ap paratus for dispensing fluid products, such as shaving lather, cosmetics, paints, insecticides, salad dressings, cream or reconstituted cream preparations and the like, which products are confined in the receptacle with a gaseous medium under pressure for expelling the products and foaming, whipping or aerating the same if desired.

Heretofore, numerous valves have been devised for the foregoing purpose, but none of these has made provision for controlling the consistency of the product, that is, the extent to which the product has been foamed or whipped to provide a light or dense foam or Whip.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a valve for selectively controlling the consistency of a foamed or whipped or other aerated product.

Another object is to provide such a valve which functions in a reliable manner.

Another object is to provide such a valve which can be accurately controlled by the consumer of the product to provide the desired consistency.

A further obje-ct is to provide such a valve which is simple, practical and economical in construction.

Other and further objects will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of theinvention in pratcice.

In accordance with the present invention the foregoing objects are generally accomplished by providing a valve which comprises a body having a first inlet for the fluid, an outlet, a valve seat between the inlet and the outlet, and a second inlet for the gaseous medium located between the first inlet and the outlet; first valve means for controlling the ow of iiuid through the outlet and being normally on the valve seat; means for operating the valve means to unseat the same; and second valve means for the second inlet operable to selectively establish fluid i'low communication between the second inlet and the outlet upon unseating of the iirst valve means.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a receptacle for confining and dispensing aerated products therefrom.

FIG. 2 is a-n enlarged top plan view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 1, illust-rating instructions for operating the valve of the receptacle.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3 3 on FIG. 2, illustrating one form of valve in accordance with the present invention shown in its closed position.

EEG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4 4 `on FIG. 3 illustrating a detail of the valve.

FIG. 5 is a sectie-nal View similar to FG. 3 illustrating the valve in one open position.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 3 and 5 illustrating the valve in another open position.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the valve elements.

ICC

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of another form of valve in accordance with the present invention shown in its closed position.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sec-tional view similar to FIG. 8 illustrating the valve in one open position.

LB1G. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating the'valve in another open position.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the valve elements.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional View illustrating still another form of valve in accordance with the present invention shown in its closed position.

FIG. 13 is a sectional View taken along the line 13-13 on FIG. 12.

FG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line 14-14 on B1G. 12 with the valve shown in an open position.

PIG. 15 is a plan view of the valve member shown in FlGS. 12 and 14.

FiG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line ltd- 16 on FIG. 15.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 7 of the drawings in details, apparatus is shown which generally comprises a receptacle 11i containing a duid to be dispensed therefrom by a gaseous medium under pressure'conned within the receptacle and having an opening 11 at the top thereof, a valve 12 for controlling the discharge of the fluid from the receptacle, and a closure 14 for the openingl 11 having the valve 12 mounted thereon and cooperating therewith to provide certain elements of the valve structure. Y

The valve 12, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, comprises a body which includes a stepped tubular member 15 secured Within an inverted cupashaped section 16 of the closure 14. The tubular member 15 has a rst inlet 17 for receiving the fluid through a siphon tube 18 extending to the bottom of the receptacle 1i) (FIG. 1). The cup-shaped section 16 has an outlet port 19, and a valve seat 29 surrounds the downstream side of the outlet port. The tubular member 15 has a secondinlet 21 for gaseous medium in the receptacle located between the first inlet 17 and the outlet port 19. 4 The valve further comprises a valve member 22 from controlling the discharge of the fluid, means 24 for operating the valve member 22, and a spring 25 for maintaining the valve in a closed position (FIG. 3).

The valve member 22 has isolated upper and lower ytubular por-tions 26 and 27, respectively, an intermediate ange portion 23 for engaging the valve seat 2t), a side opening 29 in the upper tubular portion 26 just above the flange portion 28, and a side opening :iii in the lower tubular portion 27 just below the -flange portion 2S for establishing iiuid flow communication between the upper and lower tubular portions 26 a-nd 27, respectively, when the ange portion 2S is unseated.

In order to selectively establish iiuid flow communication between the second inlet 21 and the valve outlet 19, the valve member 22 is rotatably mounted in the tubular member 15 and the lower tubular portion 27 of the valve member has an elongated side opening 31 for establishing fluid flow communication between the second inlet 21 and the side opening 36. Also, the tubular member 15 has a step 32 just below the flange portion 28 which is slotted at 34 (FlG. 7) above the second inlet 21 to provide a duid flow passageway when the flange portion 28 approaches the step 32.

As shown in FIG. 4, the flange portion 28 has a radially extending projection 35 and the inner upper end of the tubular member 15 has almost diametrically opposite Vstops l36 for rotatably positioning the valve member as about a 38 in tiuid flow communication with the upper tubular portion 26. The head, when pressed downwardly, opens the valve 12 (FIGS. 5 and` 6), and, when rotated as directed by the indicia thereon (FIG. 2), causes the valve member 22 to close (FIG. 5) and to open (FIG. 6) the inlet 21 for the gaseous medium.

In operation, when it is desired to dispense the uid from the receptacle Iin its normally dense condition, the valve 12 is initially positioned, as shown in FIG. 3, with the lower tubular portion 27 of the valve member closing the gaseous medium inlet 21.. The valve is then opened, as shown in FIG. 5, by pressing the head 24 downwardly to unseat the valve member ange 28 and to move the valve member 22 downwardly with both of the openings 29 and 30 being disposed below the seat 20. The pressure of the gaseous medium in the receptacle is now effective to push the iluid to be dispensed up the Siphon tube 18, into the inlet 17, through the lower tubular portion 27 and out through its opening 30, into a slot 34 and the opening 29, and through the upper tubular portion 26 and nozzle passageway 38, as indicated by the arrows. To facilitate passage of the uid while the iiange 28 is engaging the step 32, the ilange 28 is provided with spaced bevelled portions 39 (FIG. 7) around its lower periphery.

When it is desired to dispense the fluid at a lighter consistency by diluting the same with gaseous medium, the head 24 and the valve member 22 are turned 180, as shown in FIG. 6, with the openings 21 and 31 in registry. When the head 24 is pressed downwardly, as already shown in this view, gaseous medium is metered through the opening 21 and passes through the opening 31 and into the upper tubular portion 27. for admixture with the fluid moving upwardly therethrough. The mixture of iluid and gas passes through the valve as already described and as indicated by the arrows (FIG. 6).

Referring now to FIGS. 8 to ll of the drawings in detail, there is shown a valve 110 mounted on a closure 111 adapted to be secured to a receptacle containing a uid to be `dispensed therefrom by a gaseous medium under pressure coniined within the receptacle (not shown).

The valve 110 comprises a body which includes a stepped tubular member 112-secured with an inverted cupshaped section 114 of the closure 111. The tubular member 112 has a rst inlet 115 for receiving the fluid through a Siphon tube 116 which extends to the bottom of the receptacle (not shown). The cup-shaped section 114 has an outlet port 117, and a valve seat 118 surrounds the downstream side of the outlet port 117. The tubular member 112 has a second or metering inlet 119 for gaseous medium in the receptacle located between the rst inlet 115 and the outlet port 117. The valve further comprises a valve member 120 for controlling the discharge of the fluid, means 121 for operating the valve member 120, and a spring 122 for maintaining the valve in a closed position (FIG. 8).

The valve member 120 has isolated upper and lower tubular portions 124 and 125, respectively, an intermediate flange portion 126 for engaging the valve seat 118, a side opening 127 in the upper tubular portion 124 just above the flange portion 126, and a side opening 128 in the lower tubular portion 125 just below the ange portion 126 for establishing fluid ow communication between th upper and lower tubular portions 124 and 125 respectively, when the ange portion 126 is unseated.

In order to selectively establish uid ow communication between the valve outlet 117 and the first inlet 115 or both the rst inlet 115 and the second inlet 119, the valve member 120 is slidably mounted in the tubular member 112 and the lower tubular portion 125 of the valve memberk has a side opening 129 which is adapted to be placed in registry with the second inlet 119 when the flange portion 126 is fully unseated to establish a fluid ow connection (FIG. but which does not establish such a connection when the flange portion 126 is only slightly unseated (FIG. 9).

In order to assure such a connection, the Valve member 126 has an annular groove 136 which surrounds the opening 129 and which is adapted to register with the second inlet 119. Also, the Valve member 12) has a pair of spaced upper and lower seals 131 and 132, respectively, below the opening 129 which are so located that the upper seal 131 is above the opening 129 and the lower seal 132 is below the opening 129 when the flange portion 126 is seated (FIG; 8) or is partially unseated (FIG. 9), whereby gaseous medium cannot enter the lower tubular portion 125; and that both seals 131 and 132 are below the opening 129 when the flange portion is fully unseated (FIG. 10), whereby gaseous medium can enter the Second inlet 119 and flow towards the valve outlet but cannot How towards the rst inlet 115. While the seals 131 and 132 are shown as pointed protuberances, it is of course understood that other seals may be used, such as O-rings.

In order to assure communication of the side openings 127 and 128, when the iiange portion 126 is fully unseated, the tubular member 112 is stepped at 134 to rcceive the Hange portion 126 and the flange portion 126 is recessed at 135 of its periphery adjacent the openings 127 and 128 (FIG. 1l).

The valve operating means 121 is a head secured to the upper end of the upper tubular portion 124 of the valve member and has a nozzle 136 formed with a passageway 137 in uid ow communication with the tubular portion 124 (FIG. 8). The head, when pressed downwardly, unseats the flange portion 126, and is returned by the spring 122 when released to reseat the flange portion 126.

In operation, when it is desired to dispense the uid from the receptacle in its normally dense condition, the head 121 is pressed down partially (FIG. 9), so that the ange portion'126 is suiiiciently unseated to establish fluid tlow communication between the openings 128 and 127. The pressure of the gaseous medium in the recep tacle is now effective to push the fluid to be dispensed up the Siphon tube 116, into the rst inlet 115, through the lower tubular portion and out through its opening 128, into the step 134, past the recess 135, into the opend ing 127, up through the upper tubular portion 124 and through the nozzle passageway 137, as indicated by the arrows.

When it is desired to dispense the uid at a lighter consistency by diluting the same with gaseous medium, the head 121 is pressed down further (FIG. 10), so that the ange portion 126 is fully unseated and the groove 130 is placed in registry with the second inlet 119 to allow gaseous medium to be admixed with the uid moving upwardly in the lower tubular portion 125. The mixture of uid and gas passes through the valve as already described and as indicated by the arrows (FIG. 10).

By diminishing the pressure on the control head 121 to allow the ange 126 to be practically unseated, fiuid of a heavier consistency can be again dispensed.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 to 16 of the drawings in detail, apparatus is shown which generally comprises a receptacle 21!) containing a fluid to be dispensed therefrom by a gaseous medium under pressure conned within the receptacle and having an opening 211 at the top thereof, a valve 212 for controlling the discharge of the iiuid from the receptacle, and a closure 214 for the opening 211 having the valve 212 mounted thereon and cooperating therewith to provide certain elements of the valve structure.

The valve 212 comprises a body which includes a cupshaped member 215 formed with a flange 216 secured within an inverted cup-shaped section 217 of the closure 214, the section 217 having an internal annular depending portion 218 providing a valve body outlet 219 and a valve seat 220 at its lower edge.

The body member 215 has a rst inlet 221 in the -bot tom thereof for receiving the uid through a Siphon tube 222 extending to the bottom of the receptacle (not shown),

and has a second inlet 224 adjacent the inlet 221 and in alignment with the outlet 219 for metering gaseous medium into the chamber provided by the member 215 for admixture with the iiuid.

The valve outlet 219 and the metering inlet 224 are controlled by valve means including a valve member 225 and a concave valve seat 226 surrounding the metering inlet 224. The valve member 225 is in the form of a yieldable disc formed of rubber or the like. This disc, as shown in FIGS. and 16, comprises an annular bead 227 at its periph-ery for securement between the body member flange 216 and the closure section 217, a central formation 228 on its upper surface for engaging the valve seat 229, a central formation 229 on its lower surface for engaging the valve seat 226, and passageway means, such as annularly arranged apertures 230 between the bead 227 and the formations 22S and 229 rendered effective to conduct fluid therethrough upon unseating the formation 228.

The valve further includes a dispensing head 231 which comprises a tubular depending portion 232, secured over the closure section 2l7, a nozzle section 233 formed with a passageway 234 in fluid flow communication with the valve outlet 219 through the portion 252 and a push button 23S having a depending stem 236 which passes through the valve outlet 219 and engages the valve member 225 to effect unseating thereof. Preferably, the stem 236 is closely slidably fitted in the valve outlet 219, and is recessed or slotted at 237 to provide iiuid flow communication between the valve member apertures 239 and valve outlet 2l@ when the valve member 225' is unseated.

The valve member 225 by being yieldable and resilient serves as a return spring for the push button 235 by acting on the stem 236 thereof.

In operation, with the valve positioned as shown in FIG. l2, the valve outlet 219 is closed, and the first and second inlets 221 and 224., respectively, are open. Upon pressing the button 235 downwardly to partially unseat the upper valve formation 223 oif its seat 22?, as shown in broken lines in FIG. l2, both iiuid and gas enter the chamber provided by the cup-shaped valve body member 215, are admixed therein, and are discharged through the dispensing head nozzle 233 to dispense uid of a light consistency.

By pressing the button 23S further downwardly to fully unseat the upper valve formation 228 off its valve seat 22S andto seat the lower valve formation 229 on its seat 226, the flow of gas is shut off and only uid of a normal heavier consistency is dispensed (FIG. 14).

In the course of dispensing the contents of the receptacle during a single application, pressure on the push button 235 may be diminished to allow the lower valve formation 229 to unseat and again cause gas to be admixed with the iiuid.

While the valve in accordance wth the present invention is useful for dispensing a wide variety of uids in foamed, whipped or aerated form, it is particularly useful for dispensing foamed shaving lather to suit the lathering requirements of the ultimate consumer, which requirements may vary from a dense foam to a light foam.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the present invention provides a novel valve for controlling the consistency of foam, whipped or aerated products to suit any desired requirement, which valve is simple, practical and economical in construction and is durable and reliable in operation.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matters are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A valve for a receptacle containing a fluid to be dispensed therefrom by a gaseous medium under pressure confined within the receptacle, which valve comprises a body having a first inlet for the fluid, an outlet, a valve seat between said inlet and said outlet, and a second inlet for gaseous medium located between said first inlet and said outlet; first valve means for controlling the flow of the fluid through said outlet and being normally on said seat; means for operating said valve means to unseat the Same; and second valve means for said second inlet operable to selectively establish fluid iiow communication between said second inlet and said outlet upon unseating of said first valve means.

2. A valve for a receptacle containing a uid to be dispensed therefrom by a gaseous medium under pressure confined within the receptacle, which valve comprises a tubular Valve body having a first inlet at one end for the fluid, an outlet at its other end, a valve seat surrounding said outlet, and a second inlet in its side between said rst inlet and said outlet for metering gaseous medium; a valve member having isolated upper and lower tubular portions and a ange for engaging said seat, said upper tubular portion extending through said outlet and said lower tubular portion being movably disposed in said valve body, said upper tubular portion having a first opening just above said flange and said lower tubular portion having a second opening just below said fiange adapted to be placed in fluid iiow corninunication with said first opening when said iiange is unseated and said first opening is below said seat, said lower tubular portion having a port for registering with said second inlet; and means for moving said valve member to selectively establish fluid ow communication between said second inlet and said port when said ange is unseated.

3. A valve according to claim 2, wherein said valve body has an enlarged bore portion below said seat and said first and second openings are substantially in vertical alignment to facilitate uid flow communication therebetween.

4. A valve according to claim 2, wherein said valve iember is rotatably and slidably mounted in said valve body, and said port is elongated to remain in registry with said second inlet when said liange is unseated.

5. A valve according to claim 4, wherein said body and said valve member have cooperating formations for placing said port in registry with said second inlet and substantially diametrically opposite thereto.

6. A valve according to claim 2, wherein said valve body has an enlarged bore portion below said seat, said first and second openings are substantially in vertical alignment, and said flange is recessed at its periphery between said openings.

7. A valve according to claim 2, wherein said valve member has an annular groove for providing iiuid ow communication between said second inlet and said port.

S. A valve according to claim 2, wherein said valve member has a pair of spaced apart annular seals below said port located so that when said iiange is slightly unseated said second inlet is between said seals and so that when said iiange is fully unseated said seals are below said second inlet. t

9. A valve according to claim 8, wherein said seals are so located that said second inlet is between said seals when said iiange is seated.

l0. A valve for a receptacle containing a fluid to be dispensed therefrom by a gaseous medium under pressure confined within the receptacle, which valve comprises a body having a rst inlet for the fluid, a second inlet for metering the gaseous medium, an outlet, and a valve seat between said inlets and said outlet; a valve member above said second inlet for said second inlet and for said seat normally closing said outlet and being movably mounted for selectively opening said outlet while maintaining said second inlet open and for selectively opening said outlet while closing said second inlet, said valve member having passageway means rendered effective upon unseating the same; and means for effecting operation of said valve member.

11. A valve according to claim 10, wherein said valve member is a yieldable disc secured at its periphery in said valve body and having central portions on opposite sides for respectively closing said outlet and said second inlet, and said passageway means are a plurality of annularly arranged apertures between said periphery and said central portions.

' 12. A valve according to claim 11, wherein a valve seat surrounds said second inlet for engagement by one of said central portions of said valve member.

13. A valve according to claim 10, wherein said valve body has a mixing chamber with said outlet at the top thereof and said inlet at the bottom thereof and said second inlet is in alignment with said outlet.

14. A valve according to claim 10, wherein said valve body includes a cup-shaped member and a closure for the receptacle having an internal annular depending portion providing said Valve seat for said outlet, said irst and second inlets are in the bottom of said cup-shaped member with said second inlet in alignment with said outlet, said valve member is a yieldable disc having its peripheral zone secured between said cup-shaped member and said annular portion; and said valve member operating means is a member extending downwardly through said annular portion and engaging said valve member.

15. A valve according to claim 10, including a dis-` pensing head secured over said valve body and having a discharge nozzle passage in fluid ow communication with said outlet, and wherein said valve member operating means is a member movably mounted on said head and extending downwardly through said outlet and engaging said valve member.

16. A valve according to claim 15, wherein the lower end of said last mentioned member is recessed to provide uid ow communication between said valve member passageway means and downstream of said outlet.

Reerences Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 695,125 3/02 Sue. 1,941,898 1/34 Iddings 222-394 2,862,648 12/58 Coolrsley et al. 2,920,798 1/ 60 Samuel. 2,968,428 1/ 61 Samuel. 2,991,918 7/61 Allen 239--337 X 2,995,278 8/ 61 Clapp. 2,997,243 8/ 61 Kolb. 3,061,203 10/62 Kitabayashi 239--573 X 3,101,876 8/63 Ayres. 3,115,277 12/ 63 Montague 222-394 X RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner. 

1. A VALVE FOR A RECEPTACLE CONTAINING A FLUID TO BE DISPENSED THEREFROM BY A GASEOUS MEDIUM UNDER PRESSURE CONFINED WITHIN THE RECEPTACLE, WHICH VALVE COMPRISES A BODY HAVING A FIRST INLET FOR THE FLUID, AN OUTLET, A VALVE SEAT BETWEEN SAID INLET AND SAID OUTLET, AND A SECOND INLET FOR GASEOUS MEDIUM LOCATED BETWEEN SAID FIRST INLET AND SAID OUTLET; FIRST VALVE MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF THE FLUID THROUGH SAID OUTLET AND BENG NORMALLY ON SAID SEAT; MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID VALVE MEANS TO UNSEAT THE SAME; AND SECOND VALVE MEANS FOR SAID SECOND INLET OPERABLE TO SELECTIVELY ESTABLISH FLUID FLOW COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID SECOND INLET AND SAID OUTLET UPON UNSEATING OF SAID FIRST VALVE MEANS. 